Harlem School of the Arts Renovation

The existing building at HSA is only experienced by the public on its harsh, fortress-like, east, brick facade. This formal and functional boundary originially enabled the school to protect students from its dangerous surroundings, but is isolating in today’s modern setting and conceals the rich culture housed within its walls.

Our scheme developed by a process of dissolving and dispersing this East facade, which began to wrap and enclose our intervention, and more importantly, reveal its interior activity to the public. The facade, read as a series of glass and wooden slits, orchestrates views and light into the space.